This year’s list saw 24 new entrants, including Emirati female Fighter Pilot Major Mariam Al Mansouri, who was ranked among the top 10. Overall, women accounted for 17 entries on the list this year.

Sector-wise, Arabs in finance made up 23 per cent of the Top 100, down from 26 per cent last year, while industry and real estate were the next biggest sectors at 13 and 11 per cent respectively.

In terms of positions held, the majority – 40 – are chairpersons, while 23 of the most powerful Arabs are CEOs.

Not surprisingly, most of the entrants on the list originate from Saudi Arabia, with the Kingdom accounting for 28 per cent of world’s most powerful Arabs. The UAE came second with 25 per cent, and Qatar rounded off the top three countries, with 15 per cent of the entries.